FLOAT ARRANGEMENT AND SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR A PUMP JACK-TYPE WELL
This invention provides for an apparatus that controls a liquid level down-hole of a hydrocarbon producing well by physically monitoring the liquid level down-hole having a down-hole liquid level measurer and a signal device connected to the liquid level measurer that causes a pump to adjust its current liquid output based on the liquid level down-hole as measured by the down-hole liquid level measurer.
1 . An apparatus that controls a liquid level down-hole of a hydrocarbon producing well by monitoring the liquid level down-hole in the well comprising:
(a) a down-hole liquid level measurer that is integral to and part of a down-hole tubing in the well; and
(b) a signal device connected to the liquid level measurer that causes a pump to adjust its current liquid output based on the liquid level down-hole as measured by the down-hole liquid level measurer.
2 . An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the down-hole liquid level measurer has a float within a caged support structure, the caged support structure is a unitary structure that both guides the float and protects it from touching a casing within the well and acts as a section of the down-hole tubing.
3 . The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the down-hole tubing is tubing for a pump jack-type well.
4 . The apparatus as recited in claim 3 where the down hole liquid level measurer and tubing has a diameter small than 4.5 inches so that it can be used in in connection with a well that has having casing of 4.5 inches in diameter.
5 . The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the float is fitted to the outer surface of the tubing.
6 . The apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein the float is sized and shaped to fit to standard riser tubing used in a pump jack-type well.
7 . The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein a sensor is fitted to the outer surface of the tubing, the sensor is located on the tubing so that it can sense the float.
8 . The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the cage structure is a float housing that covers the path of the float, the float housing having an inlet and outlet.
9 . That apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the inlet and outlet of the float housing includes a screen to prevent debris from entering the float housing.
10 . The apparatus as recited in claim 9 including a plow connected to the tubing to assist in installation and operation of the apparatus within the well.
11 . The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the float includes a bumper.
12 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the float includes a rounded sensor target dome and also has tapered ends.
13 . The apparatus as recited in claim 9 including a sensor shroud.